Luminous sign



Sept. 25, 1956V I K. R. HILGEDICK 2,763,948

LUMINoUs SIGN Filed Juiy 12, 1952 INVENTOR. A/e/me A7. Hf/ qec//ck BY f4 TTORNE Y United States Patent O j 2,763,948 LUlVIlNOUS SIGN` Kenneth R. Hilgedick, Oakland, Calif.` Application July 12, 1952 Serial No. 298,579 1 Claim. (Cl. l0-430) The present invention relates to improvements in a neon sign, and its principal object is to provide a mounting for a luminous tube of the character commonly known as a neon tube that is particularly adapted to throw rays of light emanating from the tube, both direct and retlected, straight toward the observer, thereby avoiding the diverging of the rays and causing the sign to be visible and characters formed in the sign to be recognizable at greater distances than in the conventional neon signs.

More particularly it is proposed to mount the neon light tube shaped to present a certain character in a channel shaped to represent the same character, the channel having a flat base plate and marginal flanges rising perpendicularly from the base plate and the neon tube being mounted centrally in the channel and substantially midway the height thereof.

It is further proposed to mount in the channel a flat surface character of the same type centrally of the channel and spaced uniformly with respect to the channel flanges, this character being slotted to accommodate the neon light tube therein, and the slot being sufficiently wide to provide suitable spacing between the tube and the flat surface character, this flat surface character forming a continuous border around the tube.

It is additionally proposed to mount the neon tube with respect to the flat surface character in such a manner that approximately one-half of the tube projects forwardly of the flat surface character so as to illuminate the front surface thereof, while the other half projects rearwardly of the flat surface character to illuminate the base plate of the channel and the flanges of the channel, the flanges serving to direct light rays toward the observer and to form a sharp outline for the character as a whole.

And finally, it is proposed to make the inner surface of the channel and the outer face of the flat surface character in contrasting colors, such as white and green, whereby the flat surface character is made to stand out in a frame of highly illuminated and contrasting color.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds, and the new and novel features of my neon sign will be fully defined in the claim attached hereto.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of my luminous sign representing the `character E;

Figure 2, a vertical section taken Figure l;

Figure 3, a vertical section taken along line 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4, a horizontal section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claim hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

along line 2-2 of 2,763,948 Patented Sept. 1956 Referring; to the: drawing: in` detail, I `have;` shown; for the` purpose of illustration, ai neonA sign representing-the letter.` E-, although,` oli/course.;y the principles ofmy. invention: may.:` be applied. toJ any; other eharacten of; suitable form.` t i My.n sign comprises, in` its, principali features;` three: elements; namely: theY base frame 1, the llat; surface: plate il;h and: the, neon, tube t The base frame comprises a flat base or plate 4, made, in the instance selected, to represent the letter E, and flanges 5 rising perpendicularly from the edges of the base, the flanges being of uniform height, and the height being approximately equal to one-half the width of the base plate.

The flanges and the base plate thus serve to form a channel-shaped outline of the letter E. The inner surface of this channel, that is the surface facing the observer, is preferably painted white.

The flat surface plate or border 2, which is preferably painted in a contrasting color, such as deep green, is also made in the form of the character E, and is dimensioned to llt in the channel'shaped base, leaving an ample margin 6 all around the flat surface plate. The latter may be mounted in the channel frame in any suitable manner to occupy a central position substantially midway the height of the flanges, It may be supported by means of suitable brackets or posts 7 rising from the base of the channel, as shown.

The flat surface plate is formed with a central slot 8 following the outline of the same character and leaving marginal plate sections of about the same width as the slot.

The neon tube 3, which is also made in the form of the same character, is mounted in the slot 8 centrally so as to leave ample space on opposite sides thereof for proper insulation and is mounted in such a manner that one-half of the tube projects forwardly of the flat surface plate, that is toward the observer, while the other half projects rearwardly of the plate, that is toward the base of the channel frame.

The neon tube may be supported with resepct to the base of the channel in any suitable manner, as by terminals 9 at the ends of the tube, and suitable standards 10 along the length of the tube, the terminals and the standards being of conventional construction.

The entire character is mounted upon a suitable backing 11, preferably in the form of a rectangular plate commensurate with the dimensions of the character and provided with all-around, rearwardly projecting flanges 12 to form an open box adapted to accommodate the terminals 9 and the wiring connections 13.

The backing and the character, which form a rigid unit, are mounted upon the conventional horizontal box or can 14, which extends through the length of the sign and which contains the electrical equipment for the illumination of the neon tubes.

In use, as the neon tube is lit, the forward portion of the same throws its light rays forward toward the observer, and sidewise for illuminating the front face of the flat surface plate 2.

The rear portion of the tube illuminates the back plate of the channel, thus forming an illuminated border about the flat surface plate.

The flanges catch rays which would otherwise radiate rearwardly past the edges of the back plate and sidewise, and direct the same forward, thus forming a sharp outline for the character, as against other characters in the same set-up, and more intense illumination about the flat surface plate, whereby the range of visibility and readability of the character from a distance is greatly enhanced.

I claim:A l In a. luminous sign, aV horizontal box of `substantially rectangular cross-section adapted to accommodate elec trical equipment therein, a channel shaped to form a "character having a bottom face mounted upon'. the front portionof said box with the front edges of the channel disposed flush with the front face of the box, a luminous tube mounted in the channel substantially midway the width and the height theerof, an opaque border for the tube' disposed in the plane thereof and stoppingshort of the channel flange to form a light passage therewith, and a backing for the channel having an all-around rearwardly projecting flange to form a chamber disposed over the rear portion of the box and within the confines thereof to accommodate electrical connections between the tube and the equipment in the box.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

